2 Kings 18 "The Voice Of Truth"

“Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their countries from my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem from my hand?” (v.35)

Here in chapter 18 scripture introduces the new king of Judah, Hezekiah and tells us in verse three, “he did right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done” (v.3). Moreover, Hezekiah “trusted in the LORD,” “held fast to the LORD,” and “did not cease to follow him” (vv. 5-6). In turn, “the LORD was with him” (v. 7) and gave him success in everything he did.

However this faithful servant is about to be severely tested. Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and raising the question, “In whom do you trust? Can you really depend on your God?”  

With this echo of the wicked serpent himself (cf. Genesis 3), the messengers cast doubt on God’s promises, contradicted God’s word, lied about God’s purposes, promised a better life under their terms, and reminded them that no other gods have yet stopped the Assyrians. It is here that the chapter ends with the questions hanging in the air: will Hezekiah and the nation continue to trust God or buy into the lies?

This is exactly how satan works, through lies, twisted logic, half truths. Through multiple voices he pulls at your mental state from every angle. If he can get you to give up your faith, your hope, your soul, and give in to his desires, he wins. However, it is during these times of satanic testing that we need to listen to the voice of truth.

The band “Casting Crowns” put it best in their song, The Voice of Truth:

         “Out of all the voices calling out to me,  I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth."

Do not be deceived by the lies of satan. Listen to the still, small voice of truth.

 The Truth: Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37) 

2 Kings 17 "Repent From Where You Have Fallen"

“So the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence.” (v.18)

The first six verses of our reading today record the final end for northern Israel, including its destruction and deportation. However, the more important lesson comes in the next fourteen verses, explaining the reasons for Israel’s demise.

First, Israel did not remember its past. There’s an old saying, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” This forgotten past included not only God’s grace in bringing them out of Egypt (v. 7), but also the fate suffered by their forefathers who refused God’s word and remained stiff-necked (v. 14).

Second, Israel repeatedly and thoroughly fell into pervasive idolatry. Their idolatry was a full-blown disobedience: worshiping Asherah, Baal, and the starry host; offering child sacrifice; and setting up altars throughout the land. Scripture summarizes their fate in verse 15 saying, “They followed worthless idols and they themselves became worthless.”

Finally, Israel ignored God’s repeated pleas for repentance. Twice God mentioned His grace in sending prophets to call the people back to Himself (vv. 13, 23). Yet Israel did not heed those calls. All of Israel’s forgetting, rejecting, and ignoring did one thing, it provoked God to anger and brought the most serious judgment of all, mentioned three different times: the loss of God’s presence (vv. 18, 20, 23).

Don’t let this history lesson go unheeded. Repent and renew your commitment to Christ today. Accept His grace and avoid His judgment.

The Truth: “Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:22)

2 Kings 16 "A Dark Cloud On The Horizon"

So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son; come up and deliver me from the hand of the king of Aram and from the hand of the king of Israel, who are rising up against me.” (v.7)

In our last chapter, two kings ruled Judah in relative stability for sixty-eight years. Now, with the rise of Ahaz, things take a turn for the worse, and the impending danger for Judah can be seen on the horizon.

Scripture tells us that the kings of Aram and Israel marched against Judah. Aram had already captured the important town of Elath, and now Jerusalem was under siege. What did Ahaz do? Instead of turning to God for help, Ahaz looked to the Assyrian king. Then he emptied the temple’s treasuries in order to secure his “salvation” from “Father” Assyria. The ploy worked (for the moment), but Ahaz’s actions clearly indicated a rejection of the true God who saves.

When the chips are down, in whom will you trust? The sin of Ahaz (and later repeated by his son Hezekia), was to place his trust in an alliance with an alien power over the living God. May our trust always be in the name of the Lord our God.

The Truth: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7) 

2 Kings 15 "Heed God's Word"

Here in chapter 15 we are presented with a succession of five wicked rulers in a short amount of time. These kings in a span of less than thirteen years, all “did evil in the eyes of the LORD” (vv. 9, 13-16, 18, 24, 28). This short span of time became horrific and chaotic for Israel and should have acted as “warning signs” to any paying attention, but none of the leaders seemed to take notice.

However, there were two positive reigns that bookend the chapter; Azariah (also called Uzziah) at the beginning of the chapter (v. 1), then his son Jotham at the end of the chapter (v. 32). Collectively they ruled Juda for sixty-eight years, both of them doing “what was right in the eyes of the LORD “ (vv.3, 34).

The conclusion to draw from here should be clear: sin and disobedience lead to a downward spiral of chaos, but obedience to God’s Word brings stability. Therefore, heed God’s Word and avoid the downward spiral.

The Truth: “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11)

2 Kings 14 “Amaziah’s Pride”

“Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us face each other.” (V.8)

Amaziah, king of southern Juda, like many kings before him started off well. After gaining control of the kingdom, he eliminated those officials who had assassinated his father, but spared their sons. Why? Because he knew God’s law, which said that children should not be put to death for their fathers’ sins (Deut. 24:16). He knew God’s word and put it into practice. In addition, Amaziah had great success in battle, defeating large armies and securing new cities. 

However, despite that impressive start, Amaziah’s end was not so wonderful. In arrogance, he challenged Israel to battle, lost miserably, and saw the temple depleted of its riches. Eventually he was forced from Jerusalem and killed by conspirators. 

The king had a godly start that ended in misery and defeat. Clues as to why are given early on: he was no King David, for he allowed the high places to remain (vv. 3-4). Early faithfulness soon turned to incomplete devotion and arrogant. 

Amaziah should have listened to the word of Jehoash (vv.8-12), but he did not. He provoked a fight he could have avoided and paid dearly. 

The Truth: “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

2 Kings 13 "God's Kindness To Israel"

"And Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. But the LORD was gracious to them, had compassion on them, and regarded them, because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not yet destroy them or cast them from His presence." (vv.22-23)

This chapter recounts the story of two evil kings of Israel, Jehoahaz and Jehoash. Both received the same indictment: “He did evil in the eyes of the LORD,” and both continued Israel’s pervasive idolatry (vv. 2, 11). As a result, the nation of Israel suffered for its disobedience and the Arameans persisted as a thorn in Israel’s side, oppressing them continually. Yet in the midst of this oft-repeated cycle of sin and idolatry, surprising moments appear when the kings softened and God’s grace and mercy showed through. 

Jehoahaz, we are told, unexpectedly “sought the LORD’s favor” (v.4). The response? Seeing their great suffering, “The LORD listened to him” and sent a deliverer (this could also be translated as “savior”) to rescue them (vv.4-5). Then there was Jehoash, the second wicked king. Hearing of Elisha’s impending death, the king went to him in tears over the coming loss of God’s prophet in Israel. The response? Through Elisha, God demonstrated the hope of salvation and life (vv.17-21)

Israel deserved the discipline we see in our text, yet God refused to forsake them. He gave them many blessings and saved them from many problems and would not yet destroy them or cast them from His presence. Hazael (king of Syria) oppression of Israel was allowed – even planned – by God as a way to discipline this wayward nation. In 2 Kings 8:12, it records Elisha’s prior knowledge of the calamity Hazael would bring upon Israel.  

However, the great message here is, God is always ready to listen and forgive those who turn from evil and seek Him, no matter what they have done. Therefore, call on Him today, seek His forgivness and find unexpected grace and mercy.

The Truth: “And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’ (Acts 2:21)

2 Kings 12 "A Summary Of The Reign Of Jehoash"

"In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him. But the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places." (vv.1-3)

Back in chapter 11 we saw that Jehoash was anointed king (by Jehoiada) when he was only seven years old. Jehoiada helped preserve Jehoash's life when he was a baby and he continued to have a Godly influence on him while he (Jehoiada) lived.

However, without his mentor, Jehoash changed drasticly. It seems he relied too heavily on Jehoiada and never had a faith of his own. Scripture tells us, “he became influenced by the leaders of Juda after Jehoiada died” and “left the house of the LORD God and served wooden images and idols” (2 Chronicles 24:17-18).

This story reminds us that we cannot rely on others for our spirituality. We must have our own relationship with God and be wise enough to call on Him for wisdom and guidance. It also shows the dangers of listening to ungodly advice. For like other kings before him, Jehoash started well but finished his reign poorly.

The Truth: "Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all." (Proverbs 28:5)

2 Kings 11 "The Davidic Line Preserved"

"But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and placed him and his nurse in the bedroom. So they hid him from Athaliah, and he was not put to death.” (v.2)

Back in 2 Samuel 7:16, God had promised that King David’s line would be “established forever.” Now here in 2 Kings, that line was teetering on the edge of destruction. Athaliah, the mother of now-dead Ahaziah, seized the throne and proceeded “to destroy the whole royal family” (v.1).

If all heirs of the kingly line were killed, God’s earlier promise would fail. Enter the faithful priest Jehoiada and his wife Jehosheba. Two previously unknown figures in history quietly stepped forward to save the infant Joash from certain destruction, hiding him away from ruthless Athaliah, and raising him for seven years in the temple. When ready, Jehoiada publicly presented the boy and proclaimed him king. The wicked usurper Athaliah was soon put to death.

Today’s reading reminds us of a similar story in the New Testament. There, another small child in David’s line (Jesus), was whisked away from certain death at the hands of a raging, paranoid ruler (Herod the king) - Matt. 2:13-18. Many times through scripture satin has tried to end the Davidic Line through which Jesus would enter the world, right up to His birth. But, praise God for His hand of preservation, both of His covenant with David and the promised Messiah as well.  

The Truth: "Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.  When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet (Hosea) saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” (Matt. 2:13-16)

2 Kings 10 "The Sin Of Jehu"

And the LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in doing what is right in My sight, and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, your sons shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.” But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart; for he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin. (vv.30-31)

Jehu, Israel’s king during a time of rampant idolatry, was determined to rid his nation of Baal worship. This hideous form of paganism involved gross sensualism, moral degradation, and human sacrifice. Because Jehu successfully rooted out all Baal worship from the land, God told him that his descendants would occupy Israel’s throne for four generations (v.30).

But God was not fully pleased with Jehu, for he still permitted the idolatrous worship of the golden calves in Bethel and Dan (v.29) and did not keep the law of the LORD with all his heart (v.31). He started well but was finishing poorly by holding on to a sin he wouldn’t let go. 

Charles Spurgeon described Jehu's actions in these words, “Hating one sin he loved another, and thus proved that the fear of the Most High did not reign in his heart. He was merely a hired servant, and received the throne as his wages, but a child of God he never was.”

Many people today are in the same boat, holding on to a sin they just won’t let go. Better to come clean and give your whole heart to the LORD than hold on to something that will bring harm to you and others through God’s judgment.

The Truth: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) 

2 Kings 9 "Jehu Brings God's Judgement"

"You (Jehu) shall strike the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel.” (v.7)

Historians tell us that Jezebel was one of the world’s most beautiful women. She was also however, one of the most wicked. Here in chapter 8, fourteen years after her husband Ahab was killed, we find Jezebel living in luxury and in ease.

She must have felt that the word of the LORD, spoken by the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 21:23) did not apply to her. For upon hearing the news that Jehu had arrived in Jezreel, (after killing the house of Ahab as ordered in our text), she put on makeup and did her hair (v.30), no doubt thinking she could seduce Jehu with her beauty. However at the word of Jehu, her own servants threw her out the balcony window and she died (vv.32-33).

Today, there are many ungodly people in our world committing brutal acts of murder, torture, rape and blasphemy. And we wonder, what’s going on? How long will this continue? Why do they seem to get away with it all?  Have no fear, for like Jezebel, their time will come!

The Truth: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)

2 Kings 8 “Elisha’s Ministry Of Judgement”

In the earlier chapters of 2 Kings, we saw Elisha’s ministry of God’s grace. Now here in chapter 8 (vv.7-15), we see Elisha’s ministry of God’s judgment. Although the promised the destruction of Israel by the Arameans, it has not yet occurred. The rest of chapter 8 exhibits the spiraling direction of both Israel and Judah away from God and toward His judgment.

The coming evil on disobedient Israel brought Elisha to tears (v.11), for he knew what was in store them (v.12). Like Jesus weeping over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44), Elisha displayed God’s great love for His people, even when disobedient. 

Like a loving father who disciplines his children when they are disobedient, so God, our heavenly Father, will discipline His children as well. Therefore, we should see Him, not as an angry judge, but as a loving Father who desires the best for us, even if it means the rod.

The Truth: 

“For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” (Hebrews 12:6)